Coach Rassie Erasmus has backed Manie Libbok to deliver the Rugby Championship for the Springboks despite the barrage of abuse the flyhalf has had to endure since the defeat to Argentina.
Libbok missed the potential match-winning kick in Santiago del Estero that saw Argentina beat the Springboks 29-28. However, Erasmus has backed Libbok, as well as scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse, by including them in the run-on team for this weekend’s match in Nelspruit, with Handre Pollard starting on the bench.
Libbok had a good cameo before the missed kick, with his contestable kicking and distribution helping the Boks get back in the game at the time. However, the missed kick has again highlighted his shortcomings off the tee.
However, Erasmus says they will do everything to help the playmaker regain his confidence in front of the poles.
“Manie’s general play is fantastic, and he brings a lot of energy and play-making abilities to the backline. He dictates play well, so we back Manie fully to do the job for us at flyhalf,” Erasmus said.
“It’s not just up to him to find solutions for his goal kicking, it is something we have to do as a team, and we are working on a plan.”
Saturday’s Rugby Championship match between the two teams is a virtual decider following Los Pumas’ home win. The Springboks, though, can still lift the cup even if they lose, as long as they get a point out of the match or Argentina fail to get a winning bonus point.
The only permutation that would see Argentina snatch the title from the Boks is if Los Pumas win with a bonus point and deny the hosts a point, which would see them claim the title based on the fact that they would have had two wins over South Africa.
Meanwhile, star lock Eben Etzebeth will set the record as the most capped Springbok of all time at the Mbombela Stadium. Etzebeth is back in the starting line-up after coming off the bench to equal Victor Matfield’s record last Saturday.
“As a former Springbok I can attest to what a massive achievement it will be for Eben to become the most capped Springbok ever, and we are all very proud of him and want to make this a special and memorable occasion for him,” Erasmus said.
Eben Etzebeth will become the most-capped Springbok of all time in Nelspruit on Saturday - team announcement: https://t.co/7il888zjh3 4⃣🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/Cdl0l4vrL4
“If we can win the title and finish the competition off with a victory it would be a massive occasion for the team and Eben as an individual, and we’ll give everything to make this a special day for him.”
Erasmus made nine changes and one positional switch in total for the finale, recalling six double Rugby World Cup winners to the starting XV. Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), Frans Malherbe (prop), Pieter-Steph du Toit (flanker), Cheslin Kolbe (wing), Damian de Allende (centre), and Siya Kolisi (flanker) are all back for the clash.
The most capped centre pairing in Springbok history in De Allende and Jesse Kriel are reunited, with a back three of Aphelele Fassi (fullback) and wings Kurt-Lee Arendse and Kolbe.
On the bench, Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf), Handre Pollard (flyhalf) and Lukhanyo Am (centre) make up a formidably experienced trio, who will provide the necessary impact in the backline.
“We planned to recall the players we rested last week because it allowed us to ensure that we have a group of core players who remained in the South African time zone and who would slot back into the team with ease,” said Erasmus.
“They will not only bring fresh legs and vast experience to the team, it also allows us to select a settled team that played most of the matches in the Castle Lager incoming series.
“The match-23 also includes 19 Rugby World Cup winners, which will bode well for the team, while the other players selected have performed under immense pressure in the competition this season and they all deserve their places in the squad.
“It’s going to be a massive challenge against an Argentinean team that has something special brewing in their set-up and who will give everything to win their first title in the competition, and we selected this team with that in mind.”
Springboks team for Nelspruit:
15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Jaden Hendrikse, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 – Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Elrigh Louw, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Lukhanyo Am.
@JohnGoliath82